All 15 players who played the men’s T20 World Cup in June are in the Scotland squad, to be led by Richie Berrington

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Aug-2024Scotland have called up right-arm quick Charlie Cassell and medium pacer Jasper Davidson for their first-ever bilateral men’s T20I series against Australia this September in Edinburgh. The 15 players who played the men’s T20 World Cup in June make up the rest of the squad, which will be captained by Richie Berrington.Cassell made a sensational start to his international career, taking 7 for 21 – the best ODI haul on debut – against Oman in the Cricket World Cup League 2 in July. He’s played two ODIs for Scotland so far and was also recently part of three matches in the One-Day Cup for Somerset.Davidson also made his ODI debut in the CWC League 2, against Oman, and took four wickets in that game.”After coming into the squad at CWCL2 and doing so well, it’ll be great for Jasper and Charlie to have the experience of what it’s like playing against the best, in front of a fairly large crowd,” Doug Watson, Scotland’s head coach, said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to play one of the best teams in the world, and I’m pretty sure that our players won’t need any motivating for this series. It’s a great opportunity for them to share the field with world-class players. They’re wanting to put in some huge performances and compete, and really push this Australia team.”The goal for us is to win this series. The first game is really important – if we can win that, it’ll set up the next two matches. The whole week will be brilliant for the squad, staff, supporters, and all of Scotland.”It will be Australia’s first tour of Scotland in 11 years. The sides will meet just three months after their T20 World Cup 2024 game in St Lucia, where Australia won a close match by five wickets. The games will be played at The Grange on September 4, 6 and 7.Scotland T20I squad vs AustraliaRichie Berrington (capt), Charlie Cassell, Matthew Cross, Brad Currie, Jasper Davidson, Chris Greaves, Ollie Hairs, Jack Jarvis, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole, Charlie Tear, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is very keen to land one of his transfer targets before July 23, with a report this week sharing exactly why and lifting the lid on their plans to submit a new bid for the player.

He's more exciting than Zubimendi: Arsenal looking to sign £70m "superstar"

Arsenal could make an even more exciting signing than Martin Zubimendi.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 24, 2025

The Gunners will confirm their first signing of the summer very soon.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi travelled to London last week as he finalised a switch to Arsenal and put the finishing touches on his contract, while fellow Spaniard and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is also poised to join Arteta after being deemed surplus by Chelsea.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Both men are set to be followed by a striker too, but debate still surrounds who that might be.

Arsenal have been working on deals for both RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, as per numerous reports, including the BBC, but there is a growing belief among some media outlets that the latter is currently in pole position to join Arteta’s side.

“Sporting are going to play hardball, there’s been a fallout between Gyokeres and the club because his agent has suggested that they had a gentleman’s agreement he could leave for £60million, I think they’re looking for nearer £80m,” said talkSPORT’s Alex Crook last week.

“Arsenal are juggling both him and Benjamin Sesko, they’ve opened talks with Leipzig as well but at the moment, I would say Gyokeres looks the more likely.”

Reports in Portugal have claimed that Arsenal saw a £55 million bid rejected for Gyokeres turned down recently. However, they’re expected to go back in with another offer closer to Sporting’s valuation.

Arsenal prepare new Viktor Gyokeres bid as Mikel Arteta pushes

As per another Portuguese source, the newspaper Correio de Manha, Arsenal are “prepared to make another offer” for Gyokeres, with Arteta pushing to sign the prolific 27-year-old in time for their pre-season tour of Asia – which kicks off in Singapore against AC Milan on July 23.

So, in short, if Arsenal decide to go all in for the Sweden international over Sesko, Arteta is keen for Gyokeres to be signed within the next month, and it isn’t exactly hard to see why Coventry City’s ex-star is high on the Gunners’ transfer shortlist.

He spearheaded Rui Borges’ side to their first domestic double in two decades with an outstanding 54 goals in all competitions last season, but they face stiff competition from Man United.

Gyokeres would prefer Arsenal ahead of a move to Old Trafford, as confirmed by the likes of Fabrizio Romano, but he still hasn’t completely snubbed United either.

“Gyökeres would be open to Manchester United. There has been no formal rejection, but a deal to date has also never been at an advanced stage, despite suggestions,” said reliable journalist Ben Jacobs on X in the last 10 days.

“United have not made any formal approach to Sporting. Swedish striker one of several striker options discussed for #MUFC. Gyökeres believes he’ll still be allowed to leave Sporting for €70m.”

Liam Dawson returned 50 wickets in a Vitality County Championship season for the first time after scoring an eighth fifty of the season as Hampshire closed in on victory over Worcestershire.Spinning all-rounder Dawson reached a half-century of scalps by adding Kashif Ali and Adam Hose to his tally – in doing so beating the 49 wickets he claimed last season – with no spinner in the country taking more this year.Along with his bowling exploits, no one has passed 50 more times than Dawson in Division One in 2024, as he moved to 907 runs with a 51 which set Worcestershire 394 runs to win.The visitors ended the day five wickets down, still 277 runs short of victory – but with Jake Libby still undefeated on 55.Both sides are now only playing for positions after Hampshire’s improbable title challenge ended with Surrey’s victory over Durham, and Worcestershire’s survival already secured.Having elected against enforcing the follow-on the previous evening, Hampshire’s second innings was ramshackle and lacking in fluency, but still ended up at in the vicinity of the destination they would have aimed.The inability to score runs quickly was largely due to Joe Leach’s expertise with a nipping ball, taking three for 17, with six pressure-building maidens, across his first two spells.The 33-year-old is retiring after next week’s fixture against Lancashire, but proved he was still as skilful as ever to pick up Hampshire’s top three – although none of the wickets were classic dismissals.Toby Albert fell in the second over of the morning when he was strangled down leg and was caught behind, Fletcha Middleton lasted a further four overs before he was caught and bowled while playing across one, and first innings double centurion Nick Gubbins was caught at slip after the ball had looped off the wicketkeeper’s glove.Ben Brown quickly followed when Amar Virdi straightened one to pin him, but James Vince was keeping the scoreboard progressing with an often sketchy, sometimes glorious 44.Vince dragged Virdi onto his own stumps while sweeping but after lunch Tom Prest and Dawson returned with a lucidly attacking game plan to whip up a 72-run partnership at a whisker under a run-a-ball.Dawson followed his first innings century and five-wicket haul with a 63-ball fifty but fell soon after when Logan van Beek destroyed his stumps.Things turned frenetic again as James Fuller swished behind, Prest was leg before when stuck on the crease to Virdi, Kyle Abbott was bowled on the swing and Felix Organ was run out after a strike confusion with Mo Abbas – which prevented Virdi from a second career 10-wicket haul.With an imposing, but not impossible target, Gareth Roderick failed to show the resolve of the first innings by getting bowled by Abbott in the sixth over.Kashif Ali played for turn that didn’t come from Dawson to fall lbw in the 14th over before two fine slip catches from Vince accounted for Rob Jones and Adam Hose – the latter was Dawson’s 50th wicket of the season.Jake Libby had staunchly battled to 49, but when initially trying to reach the milestone, he ran out his partner Brett D’Oliveira, before eventually getting to a 47th first-class fifty with a less risky ambled single off 106 balls.Libby remained unbeaten at close, with Ethan Brookes hanging on alongside him.

أكد فلوريان فيرتز، نجم نادي ليفربول، على سعادته الكبيرة بمساهمته التهديفية الأولى له مع النادي الإنجليزي، موضحًا أنه يعلم أنه يستطيع أن يقدم أداء أفضل مع الريدز خلال الفترة المقبلة.

وحصل نادي ليفربول على توقيع فيرتز خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير، قادمًا من صفوف نادي باير ليفركوزن مقابل أكثر من 120 مليون يورو.

لكن وعلى عكس التوقعات لم يستطع فيرتز تقديم المستوى المطلوب منه رفقة ليفربول وبقى اللاعب محل النقد بالفعل.

وفك فيرتز نحسه مع ليفربول وقدم مباراة جيدة وصنع هدفين مساهمًا في انتصار الريدز على حساب آينتراخت فرانكفورت بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدف واحد يوم أمس الأربعاء، ضمن منافسات مرحلة الدوري من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

أقرأ أيضًا .. إعلان التشكيل المثالي للجولة الثالثة من دوري أبطال أوروبا.. ضم لاعب ليفربول

وأكد فيرتز في تصريحات إلى شبكة دازن، أنه يشعر بالارتياح بعد مساهتمه التهديفية الأولى له رفقة ليفربول.

وقال فيرتز: “لم أجر مقابلة بعد مباراة بمثل هذا الوقت المبكر من قبل، إن لم تخني الذاكرة كنا متأخرين بنتيجة 1-0 ، عدنا إلى أجواء المباراة وقلبنا الطاولة، في الشوط الأول صعبت على نفسي إيجاد المساحات المناسبة”.

وأضاف فيرتز في حديثه: “ثم كان من سوء حظي أن أفقد الكرة قبل أن نستقبل هدفًا لكن بشكل عام، كان الأمر جيدًا، حاولت إيجاد مساحات أفضل في الشوط الثاني”.

واختتم الدولي الألماني: “أعلم أن بإمكاني تقديم أداء أفضل بكثير، أعتقد أن الشوط الثاني كان رائعًا ومن الجميع أيضًا، لذا، أنا راضي عن فوزنا اليوم وعن مساهمتي في إحراز الأهداف”.

It’s the final of the first IPL. Enter the Blaster

Sidharth Monga13-May-20216:31

Irfan and Yusuf Pathan on the innings that won the Rajasthan Royals the first IPL title

We polled our staff for their picks of the top ten best batting, bowling and all-round performances in the IPL through its history. Here’s No. 1Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, final, 2008Harsha Bhogle tells a story of Yusuf Pathan and Shane Warne at the Rajasthan Royals. Pathan had been given a specific role by Warne in the inaugural IPL: to “take ’em on” and “dominate the start of the innings”. When you truly try to fulfil that sort of brief, there are chances you will fail. Thirteen years on, it is a concept many batters still struggle to come to terms with.On a night when Pathan had had one of these unavoidable failures, he sat in his hotel room moping, blaming himself for a defeat. He heard a knock on the door. It was his captain, Warne. “Mate, one man doesn’t lose a game,” Warne said. “The team loses it. Don’t worry, sleep well.”Does one man win a game, though? It would appear so on the evidence of the final later that year.Back in 2008 cricket was still only entering – with trepidation but without intention to look back – the era of T20 and data analysis. Most of the analysis at that time, though, was technical in nature: footage (from matches and nets), split-screens, etc. There was no exhaustive data bank on match-ups, or much else, to fall back on.What we know looking back is this. Among those who faced a minimum of 80 balls in the middle overs that IPL, Pathan scored the fastest, at 10.58 runs an over. He started his T20 career, and the tournament, as an opener. Not that his rate of 9.45 runs per over in the powerplay was to be scoffed at, but he also averaged 80 in the middle overs as compared to 28.75 against the new ball. By the middle of the tournament he started playing in the middle order and he ended up facing 136 balls in that phase as against 73 in the powerplay.Yusuf Pathan: one-man band•AFPAmong those who faced at least 50 balls of spin, Pathan scored the fastest, at 12.82 an over. Again, it is not like he held himself back against pace. He might have averaged half the 62 he did against spin but he still struck the fast bowlers at 10 an over in the first ten balls. He did not need time to settle in nor did he slow down once in.As a bowler, he went at 7.36 against left-hand batters and 9.96 against right-hand ones. He bowled 110 balls to left-handers, and only 59 to right-handers.Warne is known to have come up with nicknames straight out of professional wrestling during his time at the Royals. Pathan was “the Blaster”, whose stated role other than dominating the bowling was to bowl stump to stump – not cutting edge by modern standards, but Warne’s cricketing brain didn’t need too much data to make good use of Pathan.Twenty-three of the 110 balls that Pathan bowled to left-hand batters were in the final; only one was bowled to a right-hand batter. Warne and Pathan outwitted the Chennai Super Kings, who did nothing to disrupt the Royals. CSK had four left-hand batters at the top, followed by three right-handers.Pathan continued with his plan of bowling stump to stump. The lack of pace handcuffed S Vidyut, Parthiv Patel, Suresh Raina and Albie Morkel. The quicker, flatter deliveries got the wickets. Only two boundaries came off his four overs, leaving the Super Kings at 97 for 3 by the time he was done.The numbers

200 Pathan’s strike rate against Muttiah Muralitharan; he scored 24 off 12 balls

10 Number of dots bowled by Pathan in the final. Only Makhaya Ntini managed more

0 Number of players other than Pathan who have taken two or more wickets and scored 50 or more runs in an IPL final.

However, it was perhaps with the bat that Pathan made the more telling contribution of the final. By the time he walked in in the seventh over, the Royals were 42 for 3, chasing 164, and had one of the most economical bowlers of the tournament, Muttiah Muralitharan, to contend with still.It turned out to be Pathan’s most subdued effort with the bat in the tournament, pointing to the difficult nature of the surface. He hit no boundary in the first nine balls he faced, and only tried once. After he picked on L Balaji, hitting him for two fours in the tenth over, he was dropped off Murali. At 21 off 23 balls, he had brought the Royals to needing 75 off 45.Then came the storm you had sensed for a while. Pathan had just charged at Murali and only managed to squirt the ball to the off side. Now, though, his footwork was precise and he lofted successive sixes.It was Murali’s second-most expensive over out of the 58 he bowled in the tournament. He came back to claim the eventual Player of the Tournament, Shane Watson, but before he was done, Pathan hit him for another six, and he took down Balaji once again, to leave a manageable task for Warne and Sohail Tanvir.ESPNcricinfo’s Super Stats metric rated Pathan’s impact at 146.8, more than twice the next-best contribution by a Royals player. In the first final of what would go on to become the most competitive and prestigious T20 tournament in the world, Pathan produced a performance whose impact would be bettered in only two of the 12 finals since to date. There was no sulking that night.The Greatest IPL performances 2008-2020

Real Madrid are now in advanced contract talks with a star player to try and fend off Manchester United’s recent approach, according to a new report.

Balancing incomings and outgoings the order of the day at Old Trafford

As of now, it has been a rather quiet start to the transfer window for the Red Devils, as they have just completed one bit of transfer business, and that was the signing of Matheus Cunha. More arrivals are expected however, with Bryan Mbeumo heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, and now United are said to be confident in beating Tottenham to his signature.

Man Utd eye £34m Onana replacement from the same place they overpaid for Hojlund

Man Utd and INEOS have now identified a new target to replace Andre Onana in goal.

ByBrett Worthington Jun 16, 2025

United are also being linked with players who can improve them in other aspects of the team. They are seriously interested in signing Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt and have now added Marco Carnesecchi to their list of options to replace Andre Onana in goal. However, these purchases may have to be put on hold until the club moves some players out the door.

Alejandro Garnacho is one whose time at the club appears to be up, as United are now prepared to sell the Argentine. The Red Devils are looking to get at least £50 million for the attacker this summer. Chelsea were linked with a move for Garnacho back in January, and they are believed to be still interested in a deal now. Meanwhile, Aston Villa have also joined the race to sign Garnacho, as he may be seen as a replacement for Marcus Rashford, who has now returned to Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen have also been linked with a move for the United man, and while their interest is genuine, it is a deal that is unlikely given finances and the fact that Garnacho’s preference is to remain in the Premier League.

Man Utd make approach for Brahim Diaz

Given the Red Devils are willing to sell Garnacho, they have been on the lookout for replacements, and according to a report from Spain, Man United have made an approach to sign Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid.

However, Fabrizio Romano has since revealed Real Madrid are now in advanced contract talks with the forward to fend off the interest from United and others. Indeed, Arsenal also joined the Red Devils in making an enquiry, but it seems the playmaker has made his mind up and will stay put for the forseeable future.

Diaz, who has been dubbed an “astonishing” talent by journalist Mina Rzouki, has been at Real Madrid since January 2019, when he joined the club from United’s arch-rivals Manchester City. The Morocco international has had two separate spells on loan at AC Milan since moving to Spain, but in the last two seasons he has become an important member of the Real Madrid squad.

Apps

117

Goals

20

Assists

19

Last season, Diaz played 31 times in La Liga, as well as 11 times in the Champions League. The Red Devils would have seen Diaz as a perfect player who could play in the wide number 10 role, a position Amorim is trying to improve in before pre-season gets underway.

Liverpool have agreed a £15 million ($20m) fee with Lyon for England Under-21 star Tyler Morton as the Reds continue their smart transfer business.

Morton set for Lyon move Academy graduate to leaveLiverpool linked with huge Isak moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Reported by Fabrizio Romano on X, negotiations are at their "final stages" between the Reds and Lyon over a transfer for 22-year-old Morton, who is set to move to Ligue 1 for £15m after making just 14 senior appearances for Liverpool.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The sale of academy product Morton will represent pure profit for Liverpool, who continue to act smartly in raising money for further exploits in the transfer market. A record-breaking move for Alexander Isak remains a possibility, although there have been suggestions the Reds may walk away from negotiations after Newcastle United rejected their opening £120m ($158m) bid.

DID YOU KNOW?

Merseyside local Morton joined Liverpool aged seven and made his competitive debut for the club in September 2021. He has since enjoyed loan spells with Blackburn Rovers and Hull City before being reintegrated into the Reds' first-team squad last campaign. Morton made just five appearances in all competitions last season and none in the Premier League in his "toughest season mentally", but was an impactful member of Lee Carsley's victorious Under-21 Euros squad and assisted the winning goal in the final.

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MORTON AND LIVERPOOL?

If this move goes ahead, Morton will relish the chance of regular first-team football at a European heavyweight the size of Lyon. The seven-time French champions are currently in a difficult financial state but will hope to return to their place among Europe's elite in the coming years.

Liverpool may look to follow up the sale of Morton with further exits for players like Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott. The saga surrounding Isak may continue for the remainder of the summer.

“We spent a bit of money, but what we’re trying to do is rebuild this franchise basically from the ground up,” Ponting says on spending big on Chahal and Arshdeep

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Nov-2024Shreyas Iyer was expected to attract big bids at the IPL 2025 mega auction, and he did, going to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for INR 26.75 crore (US$3.18 million approx.) – and he could well be the team’s new captain. “He’ll be a great leader for our team if we decide to go that way, which I’m pretty sure we probably will,” Ricky Ponting, PBKS’ head coach, said soon after the acquisition.It was frenetic stuff from PBKS early on in the auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after they started with the biggest purse of the ten teams, a result of retaining just two uncapped players from their last roster: Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh. They spent the biggest bucks on Iyer, Arshdeep Singh (INR 18 crore) and Yuzvendra Chahal (INR 18 crore). Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell also went their way.”I wanted to work with Shreyas,” Ponting told . “I’ve worked with him before and he is a great guy and a great player. He’ll be a great leader for our team if we decide to go that way, which I’m pretty sure we probably will. And obviously, he was the championship-winning captain last year. So there are lots of great things about bringing him to Punjab.”The two had worked together at Delhi Capitals (DC) before Iyer moved to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), whom he led to the title in IPL 2024.Chahal, meanwhile, has a new home after having played for Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). He said he “deserves” the price he was bought for.Speaking to , Chahal said, “I was quite nervous and anxious because this amount is what I got in the last three seasons combined.”I had a hunch and even my friends told me that I’d go to Punjab, but I had no idea it would be for such a high price. I had 12 crore-13 crore in mind, but I do deserve this. Wherever you go, you always have the opportunity to learn and grow, and I’ll make sure to work hard and deliver my best.”2:08

Moody: Chahal will enjoy playing under Ponting

On being able to bring the IPL’s highest wicket-taker (Chahal has 205 wickets) into the fold, Ponting told , “Yuzi is the highest-quality Indian spinner in the auction, so, we wanted to fill certain gaps with the best players we possibly could. And yes, we spent a bit of money to get there, but what we’re trying to do is rebuild this franchise basically from the ground up and you can’t do that without the best players.”So, we felt so far that the auction’s gone exactly the way we wanted. We’ve got a bit of work to do in the back half this afternoon, but that’s the fun of it.”As for Arshdeep, he has been one of the IPL’s great success stories. He has only ever played for PBKS, was released ahead of this auction, and then bought back to continue the relationship and add to the 76 wickets he has.”We had certain targets coming into the auction as every team does. Arshdeep was obviously the first one,” Ponting said. “He’s been in our franchise for a number of years. I was really keen to get him back. Left-arm fast bowler, obviously, with a great skill set with the new ball and the old ball and, you know, one of India’s leading wicket-takers in T20 cricket. So he was a perfect fit for us.”

Sarina Wiegman says the Lionesses thrive on "chaos" after defending their Euros title with an "incredible" win over World Cup holders Spain.

• England beat Spain to win Euros
• Wiegman revels in "incredible" victory
• Says the Lionesses "love chaos"

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After coming from a goal down to force extra time, the Lionesses beat Spain on penalties on Sunday in the latest episode of their dramatic run to the title. In addition to a penalty shootout win over Sweden in the quarter-finals and a last-gasp extra-time victory over Italy in the last four, England manager Wiegman said this has been the most "chaotic" of tournaments.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT WIEGMAN SAID

  She told BBC One: "No, I can't believe it! We said we can win by any means, and that's what we have shown again today. I am so proud of the team and the staff. It is incredible. I just can't believe it. I have a medal around my neck, and we have a trophy. It has been the most chaotic tournament on the pitch – all the challenges we had on the pitch against our opponent. From the first game, it was chaos. Losing your first game and becoming European Champions is incredible. Football is chaos."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Lionesses created a little bit of history by becoming the first England team to win a major trophy on foreign soil. Wiegman's side defended their Euros title following their 2022 triumph and now they will have their sights on going one better in the World Cup and lifting that famous trophy in 2027.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Wiegman and her England players will now bask in the glory of winning another Euro trophy, with some big celebrations likely to follow. It remains to be seen who the Lionesses will play later this year in their next round of fixtures.

Seeking instant upgrades this summer, Manchester United have now reportedly made their first contact to sign an impressive Premier League defender for Ruben Amorim.

Man Utd end Asia tour with victory

After finishing as low as 15th in the Premier League and losing in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, the last thing that the Manchester United squad needed was further humiliation. But defeat at the hands of ASEAN All-Stars and an awkward open-top bus tour through Kuala Lumpur ensured that their moments to forget only continued.

As they arrived in Hong Kong, the Red Devils would have been feeling that same concern that they’ve felt all season, especially when Juninho opened the scoring to put the hosts in front. This time, however, Amorim’s side spared their blushes and came from behind to seure a 3-1 victory, courtesy of goals from Chido Obi-Martin and Ayden Heaven.

With or without that comeback victory, the damage may have been done on Manchester United’s post-season tour, which only extended their misery.

Nonetheless, Amorim was left pleased following the Hong Kong game and singled out his young players for their efforts, telling reporters: “I really like the kids. I think Jimmy [Thwaites], in the last 15 minutes, as a midfielder, he wants to play. It doesn’t matter how many minutes. These kind of young kids are really important. They will have space in our team.

”Of course, it’s a good feeling [for Obi to score twice] but he needs to continue to train really hard because the Premier League is a different world. We have to improve as a team but I’m really pleased with the kids. Ayden proved, in every game for the first team, he is ready to be an option. Of course, he has got to improve.”

Not just Bruno: Man Utd star in talks to leave in another McTominay repeat

Manchester United could repeat their Scott McTominay disaster by selling this star.

ByDan Emery May 30, 2025

Away from the tour, meanwhile, those at Old Trafford have also been busy working on some key upgrades, which could see Amorim handed another wing-back to slot straight into his system.

Man Utd make contact to sign Estupinan

According to Ben Jacobs, who was speaking to The United Stand, Manchester United have now made a first approach to sign Pervis Estupinan from Brighton & Hove Albion this summer. The left-back once again played an important part at The Amex, as Fabian Hurzeler’s side finished as high as eighth in the Premier League. Now, as a result, he could be on the move.

Whether the Seagulls allow their £15m left-back to leave is the big question. Hurzeler is well aware of the talent that he has at his disposal and was full of praise for Estupinan when he returned from injury in August, telling reporters: “He missed a lot of content and a lot of technical things also in the preseason. It’s important now to get from a mix between video sessions and then the pitch sessions.

“That’s why I think that he will be a great player for us again, but we shouldn’t put pressure on him because after a long injury the players need time to adapt and that will be important.”

That said, what should make any potential deal easier this summer is the fact that the Brighton star is represented by the same agent as Manchester United defender Leny Yoro – making him one to watch.